Cottage Collage Kits and a Little B&E

Today, I packaged up my July giveaway, the Cottage Collage Kit, and got it in the mail to the winner, Carol.

I gave the pack a summery, bright colored theme and lots of vintagey goodness.

*Some of the anaglyptic wallpaper that I glazed

*A piece of the wall paper that I painted roses on

*BUTTONS

*An old postcard

*This cute old plastic rose, that actually has a hair clip attached

*Old photos from my latest garage sale haul

*Polka dotted netting from an old hat

*A snippet of red vintage wall paper that Beth gave to me

(by the way, Beth told me how to use LINKS, instead of adding the entire address! I look SO much more professional now, don't I?)

*I also included copies of some of my paintings, like the fairy in th teacup, roses, and a few others

*Old yellow ribbon and a  big white buckle

*Red and white earrings

*A copy of a sweet little French post card

*And a bunch more.

I had a great time putting the pack together, hope it is something Carol can use!

Don't forget that I will be having an August Giveaway too.  Leave a comment and I'll enter you. So far, I have buttons, and old photos in it, but there will be more, I need to come up with a theme for it, and when I do, I'll let you know.

Today I painted this watercolor of lilacs, then one of the home my dad grew up in. It is 90% done, but needs some tweaking.

I don't know why I don't do more watercolors, they are so enjoyable to do.  This lilac one is a bit different for me, I also used sepia colored ink on it.

I will finish the old homestead painting tomorrow so I can make copies of it to take to my family reunion next week and pass out to any cousins or aunts and uncles who want one.  Here is a photo of the house my grandparents raised 7 kids in, it was torn down this summer. I'm lucky that I was able to go and visit and get photos a couple of years ago.

I also broke in through a window (it has been vacant for a long time) and took a look around.  I took an old light fixture that was broken and laying on the floor in some trash as a souvenir to fix up and re-wire.  My Dad was horrified and was sure the sheriff was on his way, and told him no one would miss it, but it meant a lot to me to have a little piece of the house he grew up in.

As we took off in our get-away car, he told me that the house didn't have electricity while they lived in it!  So much for my little piece of his child hood, that light hadn't been a part of the house when he was child!

(Yes in my tradition of posting really bad photos of myself, here is one of me breaking and entering)

Comments

[cd&m]

Your giveaway is amazing! So pleased that you got to visit that darling little house before they demolished it and so wonderful that you have the talent to be able to give your family a little memory with the picture you are planning. The lilacs are gorgeous.

[Karen Young]

Your watercolor of lilacs is beautiful. Between your lovely photos and paintings, plus your interesting prose, you could write a book or even publish a zine on creative ideas.

Karen
Bluemuf

[carole]

Hi Karla:
What an awesome adventure to your Dad's home. No light? I cannot imagine.
The lilacs are too cool. My Mom (99) has lilac bushes outside her home that I grew up in and I remember the fragrance coming into my bedroom windows. So neat.
Take care
carole

[Flea Market Queen]

How fun to visit your old house...I would so love to do the same! I have driven by a few times while in the area but people live there and I could never ask them for a peek!
Your giveaway is fantastic...

[Mrs G]

I'm just sitting here grinning at the photo of the light stealers...the light that wasn't even there when your dad was there...oh well...

love the lilacs...and from your previous post...I love the name "Grammy"...in fact, that is what I call myself for my son & his fiance's cats...

[Judy]

How fun visiting the house...I would have broken in too!!! I love the lilacs they are so very beautiful. Your July giveaway was amazing. I can hardly wait to see what all you gather for your August giveway.

[Phyllis]

OH nothing would stop me from reclaiming a piece of the family home like you did! That is sweet of you to give everyone a painting of it. They should very much appreciate that. I wish I could paint like you! So fast with the lilacs you really turn out some amazing stuff in a very short time!

[Theresa]

I too am an adventurous person and would have done the same. I love to stop at old houses and take pics.

[Sandy]

What a great adventure! I love the picture. Your July giveaway was awesome-please include me in your August one and please pick my name...LOL

[Maria Elena]

It is very nice to see the lot of things in the giveawway of July!

[lorraine rose]

oh my, you can paint lilacs as pretty as you paint roses!

[Natasha Burns]

Karla you crack me up every time! If you aren't jumping into big bins then you are breaking into homes and photographing the evidence! LOL~
I have so much catching up to do with your prolific blog posts, so sorry I haven't been visiting regularly, it's just a bit chaotic at home now with us all sick (groan! this is a pain!)
I am loving your lilac painting. Sure wish I knew how to paint with watercolours and you are so wonderfully talented at it. Loving the dog painting in your last post too.... so beautiful. You have such boundless talent! Thank you also for your sweet gift in the mail today and for thinking of me! xo
PS. YAy well done on learning how to do hyperlinks!

[Karla]

You are too much! I agree - what is the harm in having a look around if its been vacant and about to be demolished! Sorry that the light wasn't original! Congrats on learning how to link!
Karla

[Kitty]

Hi Karla,

Love the story on your Dad's house. It's great you got the photos when you did. I have a picture of my grandmother's house that I treasure. Too funny about the light!

Kitty

[Amy Carver]

haha, that picture of you "breaking and entering" is classic. I like that. I Love old houses like that. The painting of lilacs I also love. I have this crazy passion for outlines on paintings and drawings. I always outline everything I paint for some reason. I noticed I still have another post of your that I havn't read...going to read it now, tata.

[carlene]

love the pic of you breaking & entering, lol! Even tho the fixture wasn't actually in the house when your dad lived there, it's the thought that counts, right?

[michelle]

I love that picture! Nothing like documenting your crime! And you should definitely do more watercolors, they are fabulous!

[Stephanie]

How funny! Sounds like something I would do. Love how the pic of your daddy's home turned out. You continually amaze me!

Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents